Abstract: An improved method of growing ribbon-shaped crystalline bodies is disclosed. The method comprises the step of pulling the body from a melt pool through a very narrow gap as the body cools through a range of temperatures at which significant plastic deformation can occur so as to reduce the amount of buckling the body otherwise experienced due to transverse residual stress. The method in its preferred form utilizes an improved guidance mechanism for use with apparatus for growing ribbon-shaped bodies. The mechanism comprises a pair of heat-conductive plates rigidly positioned with respect to the melt pool.